Category Archives: TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

A nice walking from Arpoador to Leblon beach is really recommended! The only thing you will need is a willingness to walk and maybe stop by to drink a cold coconut water… But with this view I guess it will be easy, though!

Which one is the best to visit? The Confeitaria Colombo (Colombo Confectionery) at Copacabana Fort (Forte de Copacabana) or at Downtown city (Centro)? Touch question, man! Both are great to see and enjoy a good cappuccino. In the first one I am pretty sure you will be delighted with the magnificent view of Copacabana Beach. But if you appreciate architecture and decor, you can not miss the opportunity to see the stained glass, mirrors and brocade marble countertops of Confeitaria Colombo in Downtown, where presidents and many celebrities had visited in the past. Definitely they have different proposals! Take one, or both if you have time!

This week my aunt celebrated her birthday at Confeitaria Colombo in Fort Copacabana and I took some photos for you. It was at lunchtime, and during the week they usually have a menu of the day.

This is a unique opportunity to visit the Christ the Reedemer Statue at night. For the first time, Christ will be open for the public on June 13, 14 and 15th from 6pm to 9pm. This is a test for its 24-hour shifts during this year’s World Youth Day (Jornada Mundial da Juventude).

The statue will display a new lightning system designed by German artist and Rio resident for the last 62 years, Paul Gasper. The special illumination will light up the Paineiras path that leads up to the Christ, as well as the Corcovado platform, on which the 40m statue stands. So, if you want to see the city illuminated from the top, this is your chance to make great photos!

Tickets are available for purchase online only >>> buy it here for R$27,36!

The Garden is located in Jardim Botânico district, nearby Gávea and Lagoa. Is a serene and quiet place where you will see many families walking by with their children, people doing exercises, nannies taking care of babies, and brides, young couple and models taking pictures to make a photo catalogue with a beautiful scenario.

Botanic Garden is a huge green area (142-hectares) with over 8000 plant species, part of the Tijuca National Park (Floresta da Tijuca), and was designed in 1808 by order of Dom João, the Prince Regent of the United Kingdom of Brazil and Portugal, later known (1816-1822) as Dom João VI, King of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and Algarves. In 1996 the Garden became the Botanical Gardens of Rio de Janeiro Research Institute. Since then, its mission has focused on conservation and scientific research of Brazilian plant biodiversity.

On weekdays is less crowded than on weekends because this is not only a famous tourism site but also is a place where the locals like to hang out with their families to enjoy a peace environment after a working week.

If you want to have more information about the history, the plants and so on you can arrange a tour by making an appointment with at least 24-hour in advance – make a call to +55 (21) 3874-1808 / 3874-1214. The guided visit happens from Monday to Fridays, beginning at 10am or at 2pm, and the duration is about 90 minutes. It can be done in English or Spanish.

Also, you can visit the whole area using the local electric cars. To this, you only have to make a reservation when you get there, at the Visitors’ Centre. It takes 40 minutes by car, including Saturdays and Sundays.

The main entrance of the Garden is located at Rua Jardim Botânico 920, where you will see from the outside a huge row of palms.

Tip #1: Take an insect repellent with you!

Tip #2: Better to visit in a sunny day, of course, and use sunblock.

Tip #3: Is easy to get there by bus and taxi. Through Lagoa, by foot, turn to General Garzon Street, go ahead and in the end of this street turn to the left side at Jardim Botânico Street.

Tip #4: Take a coffee or have a snack at La Bicyclette. I love the sandwiches with homemade bread and its delicious cakes (chocolate cake, walnut cake, the pain au chocolat… hummm). It’s inside the Botanical Garden area, but you do not need to pay the entrance of the park if you want only to eat there. They have French and English menu.

SERVICE

Time >>> From 8am to 5pm, Mon-Sun.

Rates >>> Adults – BRL 6.00; Children under 7 years of age – Free; Seniors living in Brazil or in Mercosul countries – Free, with ID.

Golden Gate, San Francisco. Empire State Building, NYC. Eiffel Tower, Paris. Pão de Açúcar or Sugar Loaf, Rio de Janeiro. I know there are some of you – like me! – that just don’t like to do only tourist programs. I don’t even like knowing a place in a group tour… haha… But visit Sugar Loaf is an obligation in any situation, alone or in a group, if you like or not being a gringo! BTW, there are many tourists from all over the country. The view is soooo beautiful that leaves us breathless. Take a beautiful sunny day to make the most amazing photos of your trip!

Bondinho is how we call a glass-walled cable car that runs every 20 minutes between the peaks of Morro da Urca (first stop) and Pão de Açúcar (second stop), with capacity to hold 65 passengers. Each round trip takes 3 minutes and I guess you will want more to appreciate the 360º view of the city, including the Leme, Copacabana, Ipanema, Flamengo and Leblon beaches; the Pedra da Gávea, Maciço da Tijuca and Corcovado mountains, the Christ statue; the Guanabara Bay; the downtown area; the Santos Dumont Airport; Governador island; the neighboring city of Niterói; the Rio-Niterói bridge; and the Serra do Mar mountain backdrop with the famous Dedo de Deus (God’s Finger) peak.

ABOUT URCA

The Sugar Loaf is in Praia Vermelha, at Urca neighborhood, one of the most calm and charming area of the city. You can explore it walking by its wooded streets, with beautiful and expensive houses. One of the things that makes Urca the safest neighborhood of Rio is due to its military base and lack of favelas. You will find much more in the area: the campus of the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), the Engineering Military Institute (IME), the General Staff Army Command School (ECEME), the War Navy School (EGN) and the Benjamim Constant Institute for the visually impaired.

Urca has been home to some famous residents (not more than Leblon). One of the most famous and beloved singers of Brazil, Roberto Carlos, live there. And you can see Carmem Miranda’s house at Av. São Sebastião #131.

Urca is close to Botafogo – where is Rio Sul Shopping Mall -, Leme and Copacabana.

TO EAT

Just beside the Sugar Loaf entrance, I recommend Zozô Restaurant, contemporary cuisine. Beautiful décor with a huge tree in the middle of the salon and a deck covered in glass where you can see the landscape. During the lunch (Tue-Sun, noon-4pm), there is a nice antipasti buffet with fixed price per person. At night (only on Fri and Sat, 8pm-midnight), you will find an intimist atmosphere with candle lights. After midnight the kitchen closes and it starts the dance floor. Go well dressed at night.

SERVICE

Time >>>The ticket office opens at 8am and closes at 7:50pm. The Park always closes one hour after the ticket office.

Rates >>> Adults – BRL 53.00; Children 6-12 years of age – BRL 26.00; Children under 6 – Free. The tickets are valid for only one visit on the day they are purchased.